Thanksgiving in Brentwood

We had a wonderful time in Brentwood this year for Thanksgiving! All the Fox boys got together at Robert's house and had fun ribbing each other while the kids ran amok. Jen, our lovely hostesses, set up a delicious meal all while being 8 months pregnant with her 5th kid! With 9 kids, 9 adults and 2 dogs running around it was a busy busy holiday. Unfortunately Cy and I could only stay for two days but it was still worth the trip to see everyone and to introduce little Atlas!
   Speaking of Atlas, I was slightly terrified of driving that far with a 6 week old and almost called off the trip all together. But he handled it like a champ! I was nervous because he usually HATES his car seat and will let you know. Prior to this trip, Atlas would wail and fuss the entire car ride - no matter where we were going out how long it took. I've taken him to the airport twice (once to drop off Mom when she came to his birth, and once to pick up Kenneth from a med school interview) and both times he has screamed the whole way there and back. Even while Kenneth tried to feed him a bottle. He just would not have any of it. I'm pretty sure he thinks  carseats are for squares.
   Anyways, we left for California at midnight and once we picked Cy up from work (yay night shift) we hit it. It only took a little over 12 hours to get there while Cy drove the length of the trip and I sat in the back to keep Atlas company. We introduced a pacifier which might have been our saving grace as it helped lull him back to sleep.
   Once we got there it was jam packed cousin time. Everyone loved baby Atlaa, especially our nieces. Danielle, Jen's oldest, was so sweet and would come up to post his head and whisper "treasure these moments Atlas, treasure these moments." Because 6 week old babies just aren't well known for acknowledging how quickly time passes. But I appreciated the reminder. It was a great trip which was tipped off by my favorite new post-Thanksgiving tradition - pedicures. We left the boys at home with most of the kids, brought the older girls for mini mani's and pedi's, and had a wonderful time as sisters-in-law getting pampered. It was awesome and I highly recommend adding it to anyone's holiday traditions.

Sleepy Baby

Atlas sleeps so much better while curled up next to someone. Preferably someone who gives him his meals on demand.

Birth story time

So I'm pretty sure I was the worst pregnant person ever. Oh, I ate ok, and even exercised during pregnancy,  and I didn't even try anything too stupid like skydiving (even though I sort of wanted to try hang gliding...) I still pretty much did what I did before getting pregnant. But took even less pictures. And I never went shopping. My nesting instincts included watching tv shows, napping (lots of napping), and seeking places to cool down. None of the crafting stuff you see on Pinterest. I also didn't set up the baby's nursery until pretty much after Atlas came and my Mom was here. Prior to giving birth, my Mom told me that she would always have an uncontrollable urge to wash the floors and that's how she knew the baby was on its way. Me? I watched Raiders of the Lost Ark in the hours before going into full blown labor. I guess Atlas can thank Harrison Ford for having a birthday on October 9th. 

     I know pregnancy is an amazing time, you are full of life, yadda yadda yadda. Mostly I just felt fat. And looked fat. So pictures weren't a high priority for me. However, I was talking with my sister Krystle today (who by the way, just had a baby! Congratulations!) And she mentioned that she never saw a picture of me pregnant this summer. Which is a shame, because I actually did have a really fun summer despite being huge. 

Disney Land with some of my best friends. 

4.5 months along

 At the Athlete's Village in downtown Vancouver BC. I am clearly not an athlete.

7 months along

Enjoying the rainy Pacific Northwest

At the top of Whistler's Peak, home of the 2010 Winter Olympics

It's hard to see, but there is a really pretty waterfall right behind me

Hanging with Canadians

Now there is proof I was pregnant this summer and it's on the internet. I don't think I took many pictures of myself after July, so this is as good as it gets. If you are still wondering, I looked pretty much the same till October except with more inches around my middle. And FYI, being pregnant in the summer is not that great. It's like having a little furnace on you at all times which makes the hot summer days not very fun. I don't think I slept with a sheet on the bed the entire summer/beginning of Fall. 

The little guy who made being huge and fat all worth it.

New Wheels

Last Friday Cyrus found a great deal on a jogging stroller in the local classifeds. We weren't planning on getting a stroller for a few months, but a good deal is a good deal! Plus, I need all the help and motivation I can get to lose this baby weight.
   So I've been taking Gregory out for walks every day and he HATES it. Seriously, Gregory is no fan of the stroller. I think it's because of the carseat attachment. He hates the regular carseat too. It's really too bad, I thought Gregory would really like going on stroller rides. He seemed to enjoy walks while in the sling. But he cries for (at least) the first ten minutes of every walk and wails the last quarter mile or so. Poor little guy. He'll learn to like it... I hope.

Mr. Fussypants

Atlas has been a really good baby. He's starting to sleep better at night, he doesn't cry too much, and is as cute as a button. Sometimes he'll fall asleep and I can almost swear he is smiling. (And yes, that is Downton Abbey in the background). 

Not to be bias or anything, but Cyrus and I have decided that Atlas is pretty much the most handsome baby ever. Sorry to all the other babies out there, and our own cute nieces and nephews, but Atlas takes the cake. Anyways, it's decided that he is adorable, but during normal waking hours, for the last few days I see faces like this one:

He is Mr. Fussypants during the day time. He can't seem to eat enough, or sleep on his own. He'll do great and sleep for two or three hours if you are holding him, but if you leave him on his own, it's like you've abandoned him for life. Oh the humanity! It's like his mother never loved him or something. Poor little guy.

But I think it's just a phase. Or something. 

Blur

The days are blurring together. It seems like we just barely got this little baby but it's already been ten days. TEN DAYS! Atlas is so small, but is growing quickly. We were at the doctor's yesterday and found he's already up to 7 lbs 10 oz. That's 6 ounces more than his birth weight and 10 ounces since we left the hospital. We've been exclusively breastfeeding and it made me feel like I got a gold star from the doctor's. Feeding him isn't always fun, and frankly hurts when we first started, but he's gaining weight and is doing awesome. We've been taking it pretty easy around these parts. My Mom has been so wonderful and helpful and so kind. She always makes sure both Cyrus and I are eating every meal, brings me water when I nurse Atlas, does dishes and laundry, and loves to hold the baby anytime, day or night. My only wish is that she'd stay longer or move closer! There is something very comforting to have your mom come to take care of you during the biggest transition of your life. And my Mom is awesome. Seriously. She might have 10 other grandchildren, but makes me feel like my number 11 (at least on the Price side) is the first one to show up and the most precious baby ever. Which, of course he is, but it's nice to have someone outside of Cyrus and myself to tell me it. 

   

Three little Foxes

And then there were three.....

 Now that there is a new baby in the house, I feel like I need to show him off. Except I don't want to leave the house and my agoraphobia is growing by the day. Just kidding, but only sort of. We are still finding our groove as parents but adore this little baby. Plus, I need a reason, or at least an extra push to take and post pictures of the little guy. Atlas Gregory Fox was born on October 9th, 2012, at 5:24 pm. It was a little over a week ago but seems like he just arrived.

Atlas is extra floppy and squishy. Even though he had a rough day today (getting circumcised this morning. Not fun.) he is still cuddly and ever so sweet. Mom has been here since Monday and has gotten to dote on her newest grandchild. Lucky number 11! It's been wonderful and I dread the day she leaves. Atlas loves getting held and Mom is always more than happy to hold him while I go take a nap/shower/eat. But with a face like this, who wouldn't want to hold him???